Unreported partial building collapse

A building on the corner of 144th Street and Lenox Avenue suffered a partial roof collapse over the stormy weekend. The building housed a bodega, nail shop, and Jamaican restaurant on the lower level. The upper level was unoccupied and had for a rent sign in the window. Other businesses on the block, including a Crown Fried Chicken and sneaker store, were closed as a result of the unfortunate collapse.

Traffic is being blocked from 145th Street and Lenox on the southbound side of the street. The 3 train entrance is closed on the south side of the street for downtown service, but is still open on the north end of the street across 145th Street. Buses and cars are being diverted around the accident site to Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard (7th Avenue), and 144th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and Lenox is completely blocked off by a police cruiser.

The thoroughfare is a busy intersection used by commuters coming off the Major Deegan and traveling across the 145th Street from the Bronx.

Local media has no reports of this incident and many commuters were taken by surprise this morning as they headed back to work and school.